It is a most beautiful and devout tradition of our Holy Orthodox Church to have good order and proper decorum be within our Holy Temple and for us to not walk or light candles for the duration of the Divine Liturgy or any Liturgy whenever the following are occurring:

1. The Little Entrance

2. The Reading of the Epistle

3. The Reading of the Holy Gospel

4. The Homily

5. The Great Entrance

6. The Creed of Belief [The "I believe"]

7. The Lord’s Prayer [The "Our Father"]

8. Whenever the priest is facing the congregation

9. All important and sacred moments during the Liturgy

It is proper to make every effort to keep this holy tradition so as to not break the attention of the members of our congregation for the duration of these especially important moments of the Divine Liturgy. Also, in agreement with our tradition it is proper to make our sign of the Cross and to bow slightly towards the Holy Table (Holy Altar) when we pass in front of the Royal Doors (Beautiful Gate).

It also should be noted that it is part of our phronema (morals and convictions) to not laugh or clap in Church. Neither do we talk in Church before, during, or after a service in a voice loud enough that might disturb others who are praying. For these same reasons, we do not let cell phones and/or beepers ring nor take or make any photographs or recordings in our Temple without prior permission from our priest.

Furthermore as we know or should know, our Holy and God-bearing Fathers and Mothers for various sacred and spiritual reasons wrote and spoke against wearing makeup. Nonetheless, if one does wear makeup, please make sure that it does not come off on the Holy Gospel, the Icons (or the glass covering them), the Communion Spoon or Cloth, the Priest’s hand, or anywhere else.

MODEST APPEARANCE WITHIN OUR HOLY TEMPLE

Another beautiful and devout tradition of our Holy Orthodox Church is for us to wear modest attire and have an appropriate appearance within our Holy Temple. For this reason men and boys are asked to wear long pants and shirts with sleeves (long sleeves when possible) without a low cut neckline. Women and girls are asked to wear long dresses or skirts, blouses with sleeves (long sleeves when possible) without a low cut neckline, and headcoverings. Clothing with slogans, sayings, graphics, or artwork is not appropriate. All are asked to have their entire appearance (hair, jewelry, footwear, accessories, et cetera) please be modest and Orthodox Christian so as not to break the attention of the members of our congregation during our holy services.